Spaceflight

India’s PSLV-C61 mission, intended to deploy the advanced EOS-09 Earth observation satellite, failed minutes after launch Sunday morning due to a suspected flex nozzle malfunction in its third-stage propulsion system, according to initial analysis.

Isro Chairman V Narayanan confirmed the anomaly, stating, “First two stages performed as expected. In the third stage, we observed less chamber pressure. The mission could not be accomplished”.

The third-stage PS3 motor uses a flexible bearing nozzle system to steer the vehicle during its 114-second burn.

Flex nozzles, made of layered elastomeric materials, allow precise thrust vector control without complex hydraulic actuators.